2017 USATF ANNUAL MEETING COMMITTEE REPORTS 2017 Athletes Advisory Committee Annual Report Submitted October 30, 2017 Purpose: The purpose of this report is to summarize the strategic goals and progress towards such of the USATF Athletes Advisory Committee in 2017. Strategic Goal #1: Athlete Funding & Support Increase athlete funding through prize money, stipends, Revenue Distribution Plan The RDP contract is being finalized between the national office and the AAC to ensure fair treatment and no room for interpretation. A plan for the 2018 RDP money (since there is no team to make and be paid for) is being presented to the national office. Athletes need to be paid on time, in a predictable manner. A schedule is being put together detailing when each type of payment can be expected (Tier payments, prize money, RDP), to which the national office will be held accountable. The Emergency Relief Fund was finalized in 2016 to provide emergency financial assistance to current or recently retired athletes facing a catastrophic event causing financial distress. In 2017, the fund was first used to help athletes in dire situations. USATF has funded the account initially, with the AAC being responsible for future fundraising. Strategic Goal #2: Domestic Competitive Opportunities It is important to the AAC that we continue to seek out opportunities for domestic competitions to reduce the dependency on the European circuit. 2019 will be an especially important year, as the World Championships will take place much later than usual (late Sept/early Oct). We will need domestic competitive opportunities in June, July and August of 2019. Strategic Goal #3: AAC Input on all USATF decisions affecting athletes The AAC is adamant that we have a seat at the table for all major decisions in USATF affecting elite athletes in any way, including but not limited to reviewing bids, LOC's operations/policies, High Performance funding allocation, High Performance Annual Review, etc. Strategic Goal #4: International Representation It is important to the AAC that we increase our representation at the international level, including but not limited to IAAF, Athlete Integrity Unit, WADA, IOC, NACAC. We will work closely with Stephanie Hightower and our current IAAF rep Dwight Phillips to ensure we are aware of any opportunities to have an athlete nominated to a position to increase track and field athletes’ presence on international committees and boards. Strategic Goal #5: Communication The AAC must be able to communicate to its constituents. This has been an ongoing challenge. The AAC and USATF have agreed that the AAC can collect athletes’ contact information using their own database in order to facilitate better communication with the athletes. Athletes can fill out a Google Form that the AAC receives. These athletes are then sent an invitation to join the AAC Slack team. Slack is an app the AAC is using as a primary means of communication with the athletes. The USATF website consistently has outdated or missing information that is very important to the athletes. The AAC is going to put together our own standalone website that we maintain in order to keep the athletes informed to the best of our abilities without relying on the USATF’s website. Additional Comments: Professionalism: The AAC will present ourselves as educated, knowledgeable, professional and serious when we communicate with the USATF board, national office, other committees, and the athletes. We need to be the ones communicating with our athletes to ensure they are well informed and are hearing directly from the AAC. Statement of Conditions: The AAC has submitted a revised Statement of Conditions to Law & Legislation to open the discussion on this document at the 2017 Annual Meeting. We wish to hone this document so that it is free of room for interpretation so that the athletes are ensured they’re being treated fairly and are crystal clear on what protocol they’re agreeing to follow when they sign this agreement every time they make a team. Athlete Summit: The AAC funded and planned an Athlete Summit in October to celebrate the achievements of the 2017 team that represented USA at the IAAF World Championships in London. The Summit took place at the JW Marriott in Las Vegas. Athletes attended roundtable discussions about the following topics: o 2017 Relay Program o Athlete Representatives (Agents) o Personal Branding and Social Media In addition, the athletes had discussions with Stephanie Hightower, our IAAF representative and Max Siegel, USATF CEO. The athletes also had the opportunity to attend a Cirque du Soleil show and attend a VIP party where they were recognized for their achievements. Athletes in attendance were encouraged to attend the 2017 Annual Meeting to continue the important discussions we started at the Summit. Respectfully submitted, Jeff Porter Wallace Spearmon Lauryn Williams Ann Gaffigan AAC Chair AAC Vice Chair AAC Treasurer AAC Secretary [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Youth Athletics Division 2017 USATF Annual Meeting Committee Report New Beginnings The Youth Athletics Division began 2017 with a new group of leaders. Newly elected officers included Chair: Tricia Myers, Executive Vice Chair: Quentin Wilson, Vice Chair of Operations: Jim Engel, Vice Chair of Administration/Treasurer: Dave Skelton, and Secretary: Carolyn Griggs. This five-member team is comprised of new and familiar faces as several have worked as volunteers on the local, regional and national levels. Each have varied levels of knowledge and expertise in the areas of coaching, volunteering, officiating, meet administration and even national office staff experience which makes for a well-rounded leadership team. This new group immediately went to work to “redefine” the youth volunteer experience and established guiding principles to help govern conduct and set goals. These principles are based on the premise of A.C.T.I.O.N and R.E.S.U.L.T.S. which include: Accountable Leadership, Customer Focus, Transparency & Trust, Innovation & Creativity, Optimistic Attitudes, Number & Data Driven Decision Making, Resource Improvement, Entertaining – Enjoyable Experiences, Sponsorship Acquisition, Understand & Value Volunteer Contributions, Local Support and Successful Championships. With a new roadmap for success, the team started to reorganize everything from committee representatives and championship staffs to meeting frequency and communication & reporting. There have certainly been some growing pains along the way, but the group is optimistic and excited for the potential and ultimate growth of the Youth Division and sport. Perhaps the most important initiative of the new executive team is to build a better relationship with National Office staff and Youth Program liaisons. The group has been committed to collaboration and determining how best to work with and support one another. The National Office team has been receptive to this mindset and been equally engaged in achieving this goal. Membership Youth Membership reached a significant milestone for 2017 and surpassed over 85,000 members. Youth members continue to represent close to 65% of total USATF membership. Without the dedicated support of member clubs and coaches, youth administrators, officials, volunteers, and Association officers we would not be able to experience such great growth each year. Increased membership is a testament to the work at the grass roots level and we should all be proud of the strides we are making. Youth Programs and Initiatives The National Office has been busy providing opportunities to youth athletes and clubs and creating new initiatives. The Mark Springer Travel Grant continued, awarding 40 youth clubs $1,250 for travel reimbursement to one of the four national championships. Run Jump Throw (RJT) has continued to be a great youth initiative. USA Track & Field and Hershey teamed up to create a hands-on learning program that gets kids excited about physical activity by introducing them to the basic running, jumping and throwing skills through track and field. Dozens of Associations, clubs, park and recreation groups, and even physical education programs have hosted RJT across the country. And, in mid-September, USATF and the Lakeshore Foundation and the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) held the first RJT event tailored to meet the needs of children with disabilities. USATF hosted the first-ever, USATF Youth Cross Country Camp July 17-19, in Colorado Springs, CO. The camp gave young athletes the unique opportunity to train at the USOC Olympic Training Center, work with elite athletes, and visit with motivational speakers and special guests. The inaugural camp was well attended and there are plans to host three youth camps in 2018. Championship Season The 2017 USATF Hershey National Youth Indoor Championships set the tone for what would be an exciting championship season. Held at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, NY, over 2700 athletes competed in the 2.5-day event and were treated with an appearance from Olympic gold medalist, Sanya Richards -Ross. Lisle, IL played host to the 2017 USATF National Youth Outdoor Championships. USATF Illinois hosted the competition for the fourth time in 10 years. The event was reinstated just 7 short weeks before the start date and provided a great national opportunity to new and existing youth clubs and members. We are appreciative to USATF Illinois, the National Office staff and Board of Directors for working with the Youth Executive Committee on this important event for youth programs. The championship season concluded with the 2017 USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Lawrence, KS. This event welcomed over 8100 athletes, a new meet high, and had an unprecedented number of sponsors, vendors, and local support and promotion. Olympians Carl Lewis and Ashton Eaton were in attendance and did everything from attending the Opening Ceremonies to distributing awards and signing autographs. The Youth Committee introduced a revamped meet schedule that shortened time on the track and proved for a better overall experience for attendees.